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Commission adds single blade sign criterion for mixed-use site to aid pedestrian wayfinding
Summary
The commission approved a limited master sign program modification to allow a single illuminated blade sign for a tenant (K Pop Republic) in a pedestrian alley at a mixed-use project near Las Tunas Drive, citing its small size and pedestrian orientation.
The Design Review Commission approved a narrow change to an existing master sign program to permit a single illuminated blade (projection) sign for a tenant in a mixed-use development near Las Tunas Drive. The item, planning case MSP25001, passed by a 5-0 roll-call vote on March 10.
Staff said the amendment adds one page to a previously approved sign program to allow a single blade sign for the K Pop Republic tenant located inside a pedestrian walkway that connects the parking area with a main street. The blade sign proposed is a double-faced box approximately 16 inches by 24 inches (about 2.6 square feet) with an internal light; the applicant asked for a design that provides visual contrast and legibility for pedestrians using the corridor.
Designer Dennis Reitz told the commission the corridor is narrow and the tenant does not have direct street frontage, so a modest blade sign visible from both directions would better identify the storefront than a conventional wall sign located above the storefront. Reitz said a halo-illumination treatment — the standard for the rest of the project — would be difficult to fabricate at this small scale; he proposed an internally illuminated outline execution so the sign reads at night but remains visually understated.
Commissioners asked about nighttime readability and whether the change would set a precedent for other tenants. Staff clarified and the applicant confirmed the approval applies only to this singular tenant space; any future tenant requesting a similar blade sign at other locations on the site would need to return to the commission. Commissioners praised the submission’s clarity and the applicant’s representative provided a photograph showing the actual installed sign during the public hearing.
Commissioner comments praised the proposal as an appropriate, small-scale solution that supports pedestrian activity in the alleyway; several commissioners said the package was clear and complete. The motion to approve MSP25001 carried by roll call: Commissioners Chang, Chu, Romo, Sala and Lopez voted yes.
